In this article, we will look at some of the cooler Star Wars crafts and projects that fit under the wider DIY mantle. From wood carved space ships to life size papercraft R2-D2s, and small home builds to epic snow sculptures, there are projects here to give anyone with the DIY itch some ideas!

1. Disco Death Star

Complexity: Simple

The original Star Wars movie was released when disco was at its height. What better way to combine evil of the empire with the evil of the dance floor than a Death Star Disco Ball?

This tiny slice of the late 70s was built by Kat and Cam of the ourNERDhome blog using a styrofoam ball and some silver sequins. This cheap and relatively simple build gives a great effect — and a little parental help with cutting the styrofoam would make it a perfect project to work on with any young Jedis around the house.

This is only one of the many Star Wars crafts and projects on the ourNERDhome blog, so it’s well worth checking out their other projects!

2. Droid Bauble

Complexity: Simple

With Christmas coming hot on the heels of The Last Jedi release, adding a little Star Wars to your festive decorating has never seemed like a better idea. We have already covered ways to re-use and recycle objects into seasonal decorations, and this project fits also fits well into that spirit. How about hanging your very own light up droid bauble from the tree this year?

This build is the brainchild of Cesar Diaz of the Growing Up Bilingual blog. Combining a clear plastic or glass bauble with some cheap LED moon lights, along with a little fake plastic snow makes the basis of this build, and would make a great Christmas decoration by itself. It is the addition of the C-3PO, R2-D2 and BB-8 cutouts (which the blog post provides PDF templates for) that gives this Christmas DIY hack its robot edge.

3. Windshield Wipesaber

Complexity: Medium

We’ve all thought it: what better way to deal with rain on your back windshield than to vaporize it with a laser sword? Clearly Instructables user JokerDas took this all too common thought to heart when designing the rear windshield Wipesaber!

This cool looking build is also practical as the level of light doubles when the brake is applied. The build consists of a children’s lightsaber toy that has been modified to fit over the bottom of the windshield wiper, and a self-adhesive red LED strip.

The full written Instructable takes you through the whole process of building the saber, along with instructions to attach it to the electronics of your car so that it works with the back lights and brake lights.

4. Intergalactic Chocolate Moulds

Complexity: Medium

May the force be delicious! This next idea comes from Instructables user Warren Downes, and combines two things we love: machine cutting and chocolate! This tasty galactic treat begins with a CNC cut wooden mould before being filled with silicone to create a food safe mould for creating Jedi chocolate.

The Instructable links to designs for several moulds, but the general idea could be applied to almost anything in the Star Wars universe.

Don’t have a CNC machine? Fear not, you can build one yourself for cheap! Designs are available on Instructables ranging from a CNC machine to this design from Tom McGuire, which uses more shop bought parts and comes together for around $200.

5. Speeder Rocker

Complexity: Hard

Sticking with builds using wood, this Star Wars inspired speeder is possibly the coolest variation of a rocking horse we have ever seen.

This incredible build combines solid woodwork with a few 3d printed parts for detailing. While this particular build relies primarily on woodworking, there are many 3d printed Star Wars15 Awesome Star Wars Props You Can 3D Print15 Awesome Star Wars Props You Can 3D PrintWhile Star Wars props can be purchased nearly anywhere, 3D printing your own is an awesome way to save money. Here are 15 of the coolest projects around.Read More projects to choose from too! Every part is provided in the plans made by Instructables user Tez_Gilmir, along with detailed instructions on how to put the whole build together.

As if the build wasn’t cool enough, it also includes electronics to light up the LED “laser” on the underside of the speeder chassis, and play the all too familiar blaster sound when a button on the handlebars is pressed.

This build is seriously impressive, and it combines everything we love in a good DIY guide. It was very popular with its target audience!

6. Wooden Millennium Falcon

Complexity: Bonkers

Sticking with the wooden theme, woodworker Martin Creaney has created something truly stunning. The level of detail in complexity in his wooden Millennium Falcon build is just off the charts!

The level of time and detail that goes into the models the artist creates is breathtaking. He has also tackled other items from the Star Wars universe including several droids and the iconic X-Wing.

All of these builds are documented on his Facebook artist page, and along with the Star Wars builds there is a wonderful array of pieces from comic book figures to a wall mounted TARDIS!

7. Papercraft R2-D2

Complexity: Medium/Hard (depending on scale)

Everyone loves R2-D2, including people who don’t know what R2-D2 is. It’s just a fact of life. What better way to celebrate this droid of many uses than to build your very own papercraft version? Instructables user visualspicer clearly thought this was a good idea and built a life-sized R2-D2 papercraft droid!

The impressive looking build was a labour of love, designed by the artist and built using recycled paper. The version featured above is named the R2-D2-AE2 due to the huge pieces of AE2 architectural paper used for the project. The designs for the build are available for purchase on the artist’s website.

An alternative and much smaller version of the same familiar companion droid can also be made, as YouTuber Yoshiny Yo shows us.

8. Foam Clone Trooper Armor

Complexity: Medium

Our next project comes from YouTuber and streamer Andrew DFT who has been providing videos and tutorials on costume and prop making since 2010. Of the many DIY Star Wars props to choose from, we found this suit of Clone Trooper armor to be a great combination of a fantastic tutorial, and a good beginner build for those looking to get into working with EVA foam.

The multi part build series takes you through every step of creating the armor, along with great general tips and tricks for working with EVA foam and the tools involved in costume and prop design. The video description also contains a link to a full document on the build which you can print out to keep handy. Perfect for when your fingers are full of glue and you don’t want to touch technology!

9. Imperial Hallway

Complexity: Bonkers (pure madness)

OK this one? This one is special. Some people make their favourite Star Wars prop. Some people make a costume. Instructables user Dvda2108 made an entire corridor dedicated to Star Wars.

The designs for the build are included on the Instructable page, along with a rough guide how the project came together. If you are a huge Star Wars fan with some space to fill, then this is for you!

10. Snow Behemoths

Complexity: Japanese Military

Finally on our list, the snowmen to end all snowmen. In 2015, members of the Japanese military employed bulldozers, a whole load of snow, and a lot of patience to create this work of art.

This incredible sculpture consists of 3,500 tons of snow, and measures 25 meters wide and 15 meters high. The attraction was approved by Disney and took the soldiers over a month to complete.

This one might take a while to do yourself, I’d advise getting started at first snow if you want to build your own model to scale!

DIY or Do Not DIY, There Is No Try

These inspired Star Wars themed DIY crafts and projects should give you some ideas for your own force inspired builds. From the droids you are looking for to DIY lightsabers, there are plenty of project ideas out there. What will you choose to build?

Have you built your own part of the Star Wars universe? Are you planning on building the Millenium Falcon in your garage? Let us know in the comment section below!

Ian Buckley started out with a degree in Music composition, before devoting his time to DIY tech and coding. He now works as a freelance journalist, performer and video producer living in Berlin, Germany. When he's not writing or on stage, he's tinkering with DIY electronics or code in the hope of becoming a mad scientist.